GB2443193A

GB2443193A - Railing connector with clamping insert

Info

Publication number: GB2443193A
Application number: GB0612063A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Grainger
Original assignee: GRAINGER TUBOLT Ltd
Current assignee: GRAINGER TUBOLT Ltd
Priority date: 2006-06-19
Filing date: 2006-06-19
Publication date: 2008-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-19
Also published as: GB0612063D0; GB2443193B

Abstract

A railing connector comprises an insert 8 locatable in a sleeve and having first and second sections 2, 4. The connector further comprises a device 12 to push apart the first and second sections 2, 4 so as to clamp the insert 8 within the sleeve. The first section also comprises a connection 16 for connecting the first section to a structure. The sleeve may comprise a railing. The device to push apart the first and second sections may comprise a grub screw 12. Elastically deformable bands or o-rings 10 may be provided within recesses between a shoulder 6 and a body portion of the insert. The first and second sections 2, 4 may be divided at an angle of 45 degrees to the vertical in use.

Description

-1-2443193 Railin2 The present invention relates to railing systems and

in particular hand railings.

Handrails are commonly found adjacent to buildings, for example, and help people to guide themselves or support themselves when entering the building. However, wherever railings are joined or supported by a support member, welding, crimping, clamping or riveting is generally required. These joining techniques either require a skilled person to assemble the joints, and are therefore expensive to put into place, or in the case of clamping result in the handrail having a considerably increased diameter in the area of the fixing brackets, and thus obstruct the smooth running of a person's hand along the rail.

* :. : GB241 1910 discloses a connector for joining a plurality of plastic tubes comprising an arm **** which extends from a tubular body having an external diameter equal to the internal : **.* diameter of the tube. The joint is created by providing a non-slip surface on the arm of the *:. connector to which a tube locates and is subsequently locked in place using an adhesive. ***

: : The present invention provides an improved modular hand railing connection system which * *. is in particular intended to be easily assembled with no welding, rivetting or crimping required whilst providing a strong durable joint and also assisting disabled persons using access ramps, paths and steps, and in doing so being in accordance with the recommendations of British Standard 8300 relating to the design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is a railing connector comprising an insert wherein said insert comprises a first and a second section, said insert being arranged and configured to locate within at least one sleeve, said connector further comprising means to push apart said first and said second sections to cause expansion of the effective cross sectional area occupied by the insert within said sleeve causing a surface of said first and said second sections to apply an outward force against the internal surface of the sleeve and thereby clamp said insert within said sleeve, said first section comprising a connecting means for connecting said first section to a structure.

The sleeve preferably comprises a tube of any length, and may be connected at one or both ends. The connector may connect two tubes together, or alternatively may connect a tube to wall flange for example. The outer surface of the rail and connector has a smooth surface, thereby allowing smooth running of a person's hand along the rail, whilst providing a strong and easily constructed joint, without the need for skilled welders or fitters.

The means to push apart said first and second sections preferably comprises a screw means.

The screw may be screwed through a threaded portion extending through said first section thereby pushing on the second section and thus forcing said second section away from the first section. The screw can then be inserted until the first and second sections are clamped * against the internal surface of the sleeve. A benefit of both the connecting portion extending from the first section and the threaded portion extending through the first section is that the connecting mechanism is not visible ensuring tampering is unlikely. * ** * * *

* S ** *:. The first and second section preferably have cooperating faces. In one embodiment of the * present invention, the faces when cooperating define a substantially cylindrical body. The :: threaded portion may extend through the first section at an angle to the face of the first * section. Each of said first and second section preferably comprises a substantially semi-circular cross section. The outer diameter of the cylindrical body preferably corresponds substantially to the inner diameter of the rail. The first and second sections preferably comprise a shoulder portion having an enlarged cross-sectional diameter and being preferably substantially the same diameter as the rail. This provides a shoulder on one or both of the first and second sections to which a rail may abut, thereby ensuring smooth running of a hand along the railing. Alternatively, the connector may be bent to a desired angle, such as 90 degrees as described in the specific description with reference to Figure 4.

Beneficially, the connector and railings are made of a metallic material thereby providing strength and durability.

The connector preferably further comprises a means to maintain said first and said second section in substantially constant relative orientation. The means to maintain said first and said second section in constant relative orientation comprises an elastically deformable band. This provides the advantage that any minor irregularities in the cut ends of the sleeves andlor sections are accommodated, and also ensures that the separate sections are held together for ease of assembly. The first and second section may further comprise a recess between said shoulder portion and the body portion, arranged and configured to receive an elastically deformable band. It will be appreciated however, that it is not necessary to have a shoulder portion as described, and rails may abut to one another, with a shaped recess to enable the connecting means to extend from the first section for connection to a structure and a further shaped recess arranged to give access to the screw.

The first section may further comprise a means to connect said first section to a structure.

The structure may be a wall or the like. It will be appreciated that the means to connect to * :.. a structure may be of any required configuration, as described in the specific description.

S *.**

Also according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of **** connecting a sleeve to a structure, said method comprising the steps of providing an insert having a first section and a second section, wherein said first section comprises a : : :.* connecting means extending therefrom, locating a portion of said first and a portion of a second section into said sleeve, and actuating means to push apart said first and second sections to cause expansion of the effective cross sectional area occupied by the insert within the sleeve causing a surface of said first and said second sections to apply an outward force against the internal surface of the sleeve and thereby clamp said insert within said sleeve, and connecting said connecting means to a structure.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising a sleeve for fixedly attaching to a structure, and a connector having an insert comprising a first and a second section, at least a portion of said insert being arranged and configured to locate within said sleeve, said connector further comprising means to push apart said first and second section to cause expansion of the effective cross sectional area occupied by the insert within said sleeve causing a surface of said first and second section to apply an outward force against the internal surface of the sleeve and thereby clamp said insert within said sleeve.

The first and second section are preferably arcuate, and said insert generally comprises a cylindrical profile. The arcuate first and second sections preferably form a substantially 900 angle, however, other angles of bend are envisaged depending on specific requirements.

The means to push apart said first and said second section preferably comprises a screw means, wherein said screw means pushes on said second section and thus forces said second section away from said first section. The kit preferably comprises a second sleeve into which a portion of said insert is arranged and configured to locate. The second sleeve is preferably an elongate railing. The sleeve preferably further includes a flange arranged and configured to fixedly attach to a structure. However, it will be appreciated that any * ::. suitable fixing mechanism maybe utilised. S...

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Also according to the second aspect of the present invention, there is a method of S...

*:. connecting a connector to a structure, the method comprising the steps of fixedly attaching a sleeve to a structure, and locating a portion of a connector into said sleeve, said connector * . S comprising an insert having a first and a second section, and activating means to push apart * e.: said first and second section to cause expansion of the effective cross sectional area occupied by the insert within said sleeve thus causing a surface of said first and second sections to apply an outward force against the internal surface of the sleeve and thereby clamp said insert within said sleeve.

The present invention and embodiments thereof will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a wall bracket according to a first aspect of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a spigotted bracket according to a first aspect of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of an adjustable bracket according to a first aspect of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a connector according to a second aspect of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a wall flange to which any of the embodiments of the present invention as described in Figures 1-4 may connect.

Referring to Figure 1, there is a wall bracket comprising an upper section 2 and a lower section 4 divided at approximately 45 to the vertical. Both have a shoulder portion 6 of a diameter to be flush with the outer diameter of the sleeve (or negative offset in respect of the outer profile) which is to be used as the handrail and semi-cylindrical ends 8 of a less * "s reduced diameter to enable them to enter the internal bore of the rail, and preferably * approximately match the inner diameter of the bore of the rail. Optionally, the sections are Is'.

*:. held together by two rings 10 of synthetic rubber or similar material placed over the semi-cylindrical ends 8 and in contact with the shoulder portions 6 and which also serve to : : accommodate any minor irregularities in the cut ends of the rail. Additionally, grooves * may be provided between the shoulder portion 6 and semi-cylindrical ends 8 to aid positioning of the rings 10. However, it will be appreciated that the provision of these grooves is optional. The sections are pushed apart by a socket-head grub screw 12 with a fine-pitch thread which is screwed from below into a tapped hole in the lower section 4.

This section 4 has a plate 14 with holes to enable it to be screwed to a wall or other vertical surface and a cranked support 16 so arranged as to give clearance between it and the rail, and between the wall and the rail (in accordance with British Standard 8300) to minimize the risk of either of these interrupting the smooth running of a person's hand along the rail.

The cranked support 16 extends from the section 4 at an angle to the face of the lower section 4 that co-acts with the corresponding face of upper section 2. The preferred angle is . The angle of the co-acting faces of the first and second section enable both the support 16 and the screw 12 to be accommodated in or on the lower section 4.

Referring to Figure 2, there is a perspective view of a spigotted bracket where like parts are indicated with the same reference numerals as Figure 1. However, in this embodiment of the present invention, the lower section 4 has a spigot 18 extending therefrom of a diameter to enable it to be fitted to an existing railing clamp (such as a short tee fitting) and a cranked support 16 so arranged as to give clearance between it and the rail, and between an existing pillar and the rail (in accordance with British standard 8300) to minimize the risk of either of these interrupting the smooth running of a person's hand along the rail.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a perspective view of an adjustable bracket as described in accordance with the description of Figures 1 and 2, and like components have the same reference numerals. In this embodiment of the present invention, the lower section 4 has a lug with a hole therein to enable it to be fitted into an existing railing clamp (such as a female lugged socket fitting) which in turn can be fitted to the top of an existing a...

tubular pillar or the like. * . . *S..

Referring to Figure 4, there is a bend section comprising an inner section 22 and an outer section 24 divided vertically along their mutual centre-line. Again, like components as previously described have been denoted to have the same reference numerals. Both have shoulder portions 6 of semi-circular cross-section and of a diameter such that they are flush with the outside diameter of the rail which is to be used as the handrail. They have semi-cylindrical ends 8 of a similar diameter to the internal diameter of the rail to enable them to enter the internal bore of the rail. Again, optionally, the sections 22 and 24 are held together by two rings 10 of synthetic rubber or similar material placed over the semi-cylindrical ends 8 and in contact with the shoulder portions 6, and which also serve to accommodate minor irregularities in the cut ends of the rail. Again, grooves may be provided for improved positioning of the rings 10. The sections 22 and 24 are pushed apart by a socket-head grub screw 12 with a fine-pitch thread which is screwed into a tapped hole in the inner section 22.

Referring to Figure 5, there is schematic perspective view of a wall flange 26 into which the ends 8 may locate. The wall flange 26 comprises a plate 28 with holes 30 to enable it to be secured to a wall or other surface and having a short tubular boss 32. The boss 32 has an outside diameter that matches the outside diameter of the semi- cylindrical body 6 of the bend section or bracket as described above and an iimer diameter to accommodate the outer diameter of the semi-cylindrical ends 8. The arrangement indicated in Figure 5 is particularly important in combination with the bend section as described with reference to Figure 4, although may be utilised with any of the embodiments as previously described.

This arrangement enables railings to be fitted at desired angles along a surface such as a wall utilising a simple and effective attachment mechanism. For example, the wall flange 26 may be attached to the wall and a bend section attached thereto by inserting an end of the bend section into the aperture of the boss 32 such that the shoulder portions 6 abut with the rim defining the aperture of the boss 32. A railing section (not shown) is then located onto the opposing end of the bend section in the same manner, and the screw is rotated thus forcing apart sections 22 and 24. The railing section may be angled to the desired degree.

* : It will be appreciated that such a mechanism has a number of advantages over known **** s arrangements such as ease of connecting (with the flange 26 possible to connect to the wall first), the angle of the railing section being adjustable, and the smooth finish provided * 5*S whilst providing a strong joint. Figure 4 has indicated a 90 bend, however other angles of bend are envisaged depending on specific requirements. *.s

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* The present invention has been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A railing connector comprising an insert wherein said insert

comprises a first and a second section, said insert being arranged and configured to locate within at least one sleeve, said connector further comprising means to push apart said first and said second sections to cause cxpansion of the effective cross sectional area occupied by the insert within said sleeve causing a surface of said first and said second sections to apply an outward force against the internal surface of the sleeve and thereby clamp said insert within said sleeve, said first section comprising a connecting means for connecting said first section to a structure. * IS

*. :..
2. A railing connector according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve comprises a railing. S... * . *...

* **
3. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said means to push apart said first and second sections comprises a screw means.

* .
4. A connector according to claim 3, wherein said screw means is screwable through . .: a threaded portion extending through said first section such that said screw means pushes on said second section and forces said second section away from the first section.
5. A connector according to any preceding claim wherein said first and second sections have cooperating faces.
6. A connector according to claim 4 and claim 5 wherein said threaded portion extends through said first section at an angle to the face of said first section.
7. A connector according to claim 5, wherein said faces when cooperating define a substantially cylindrical body.
8. A connector according to any preceding claim, wherein each of said first and second section comprises a substantially semi-circular cross section.
9. A connector according to any of claims 2 and 7, wherein said outer diameter of the cylindrical body portion substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of the railing.
10. A connector according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and second section comprises a shoulder portion.
11. A connector according to claim 2 and 10, wherein the diameter of the shoulder portion is substantially the same diameter as the railing. * ** * * . S...

*
12. A connector according to any preceding claim, wherein said connector is made of S...

a metallic material. * S*

S S S I...

*
13. A connector according to any preceding claim further comprising means to maintain said first and said second section in substantially constant relative S...

onentation. S. S * S.
14. A connector according to claim 13, wherein said means to maintain said first and said second section in constant relative orientation comprises an elastically deformable band.
15. A connector according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and second section further comprises a recess between said shoulder portion and the body portion, arranged and configured to receive an elastically deformable band.
16. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises an elongate member extending from said first section, arranged and configured to interlock with a structure.
17. A connector according to any preceding claim, as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. A method of connecting a railing section to a structure, the method comprising the steps of providing an insert having a first section and a second section, wherein said first section comprises a connecting means extending therefrom, locating a portion of said first and a portion of said second section into a sleeve, and actuating means to push apart said first and second sections to cause expansion of the effective cross sectional area occupied by the insert within the sleeve causing a surface of said first and said second sections to apply an outward force against the internal surface of the sleeve and thereby clamp said insert within said sleeve, and connecting said connecting means to a structure. a..

*
19. A kit of parts comprising a sleeve for fixedly attaching to a structure, and a connector having an insert comprising a first and a second section, at least a portion of said insert being arranged and configured to locate with said sleeve, ..

said connector further comprising means to push apart said first and second section to cause expansion of the effective cross sectional area occupied by the S..

* insert within said sleeve causing a surface of said first and second section to apply :*. an outward force against the internal surface of the sleeve and thereby clamp said insert within said sleeve.
20. A kit according to claim 19, wherein said first and second section are arcuate.
21. A kit according to either of claims 19 or 20, wherein said insert generally comprises a cylindrical profile.
22. A kit according to claim 19, wherein said means to push apart said first and said second section comprises a screw means, wherein said screw means pushes on said second section and thus forces said second section away from said first section.
23. A kit according to any of claims 19-22 further comprising a second sleeve into which a portion of said insert is arranged and configured to locate.
24. A kit according to any of claims 19-22, wherein said sleeve preferably further includes a flange arranged and configured to fixedly attach to a structure.
25. A kit as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
26. A method of connecting a connector to a structure, the method comprising the steps of fixedly attaching a sleeve to a structure, and locating a portion of a connector into said sleeve, said connector comprising an insert having a first and a second section, and activating means to push apart said first and second section to cause expansion of the effective cross sectional area occupied by the insert within said sleeve thus causing a surface of said first and second sections to apply an outward force against the internal surface of the sleeve and thereby clamp said * S..

* *.. insert within said sleeve.

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